Bonnie Staffel on thu 29 jun 06
topic)
Kelly wrote:
"MFAs: looking at the possibilities for art classes outside my =
discipline is
like being at a big buffet with only one small plate. Do you suppose a
sculpting class will teach me to weld? I want to learn. I have taken =
several
drawing courses but you're never done... oooh, fibers...mmmm, metals... =
hey,
painting... so many choices, so little tuition money!"
I also wanted to belly up to the buffet so I did it myself. There are
books, friends, and many other resources where you can teach yourself =
all
the things you want to learn. Doesn't take time in school and rarely =
money
(except to buy the equipment) to just get your feet wet. The hard part =
is
the practice on your own after learning the principles involved. In my
lifetime, I have taught myself copper enameling, lampworking, weaving =
with
and without a loom, carving , sewing, basketry, printmaking of various
types, and many more that I can't even recall. One of my weavings won =
an
award at the Toledo Museum Art Annual. I took a year of glass blowing =
at
the Toledo Museum. I believe that I was searching for the craft where I
could really involve myself so clay won when I took an evening adult
education class at the Museum. I also learned the use of the computer =
at
age 65 going into desktop publishing and changed focus to bloom in that
position. You can do whatever you set your mind to if you are curious, =
a
problem solver, and excited about whatever you are learning. Many =
crafts
went by the wayside, but I at least learned the fundamentals. I could =
never
have predicted the path that my life would take by learning all these
things, but I was a perfect fit at the Campbell Folk School when I went =
to
work there. Who knew when I studied typing, shorthand, bookkeeping in =
high
school, that it also would play a big part in my later life as a
craftsperson. =20
If you have a dream, pursue it, but IMHO one doesn't have to spend a lot =
of
money and time going to a school or university. For some people it is =
good
and the writing appearing on Clayart reflects this kind of learning, but =
it
was not for me. I am glad that I found out early that I was not college
material so that I could get on with achieving the various goals I had
planned. =20
I achieved what I wanted through life without a big loan to pay off. I =
sure
am not wallowing in monetary riches, but my life's efforts have given me
satisfaction. Even now, I must keep working if not just to pay the =
bills,
but to feed the soul. =20
Warm regards,
Bonnie Staffel =20
http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
DVD Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD Beginning Processes
Charter Member Potters Council
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